Boxing Day races at Morphettville proved a mix of emotions as the industry welcomed a newcomer to its metropolitan ranks, jockey Ellis Wong, while farewelling 55-year racing veteran Jim Mettam.
For Wong it was a magical start to his metro career with victory on his first ride for the day on the Nicole Irwin-trained Stealthy Lucas ($15), outgunning Lake’s Folly and Tully’s Gold.
Wong said he was thrilled to win at his first metro ride.
“I was very sure I could go well. I was pretty confident because the pace was just perfect for my horse,’’ Wong said.
“Hopefully my family in Hong Kong was able to watch it.’’
Wong, 21, had chalked up 28 winners since beginning riding in February this year, 16 of those victories in the past three months.
Mettam, 70, recently pulled stumps on his career which started as a jockey, then trainer, a breaker and followed as Clerk Of The Course for the past 30 years. Both Wong and Mettam were presented to the crowd, Mettam recognised with the final race named in his honour.
Ichibansan ($4) continued its stellar form by taking out the $102,250 Southern Speed Series Final, charging to victory in a blanket finish to give it three wins in a row – its only wins from 16 starts.
Ridden perfectly by Jason Holder and trained by Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas Ichibansan, in the same colours and training partnership as Southern Speed, held out Shock Alert and Fighter.
Macdonald said it was a gutsy effort.
“This horse has just learned all the way through after a bit of a slow start,’’ Macdonald said.
“And to win a race in the same colours as Southern Speed was great too.’’
Holder, a master in big races, said his mount gave everything, had the right sit and showed courage when challenged late in the run.
Debutant Aitch Two Oh ($3.20F), trained by Richard and Chantelle Jolly, made short work of the field to win a two-year-old 1050m in style, cruising home by just under five lengths with Karl Zechner on board.
The Jolly combo brought up a double when stable jockey Jake Toeroek brought Sparkup ($4) with a flashing finish to win a 1200m race, then the stable made it a treble when Poysed To Rein was a strong winner of the final race, Zechner bringing up his double.
Starlite Valley ($4.80) broke through at its third start to win after two placings to give trainer Kym Healy and jockey Jacob Opperman success.
Fulton Street continued the vein of first-time winners when it recorded its first victory at a metro meeting to go with its previous 14 wins, 12 of those with apprentices on board.
Trained by David Jolly and steered by apprentice Angus Chung Fulton Street led for most of the 1600m trip to hold out Splash Some Cash and Morty.
Chung continued his fine form when he brought up a race-to-race double when the Jon O’Connor-trained Great Leveller railed through to win a Benchmark 68 over 1050m.
Farewell a local legend and welcome first day winner - Racenet
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